Enter a State of BLIS - Blind Spot Information System

Several years ago I drove a test car that knew if a vehicle was in its blind spot. Today, I drove a production car that featured that safety device.

The 2007 Volvo S80 has a "BLIS" option -- it stands for Blind Spot Information System. Clearly, they've chosen their words carefully...

They don't want anyone to rely completely on BLIS for fear that they could be held liable for any accidents that occur. So they say the system provides "information" not clearance or a warning.

Here's how it works. A camera mounted under each side mirror looks back at an area which would be difficult for the driver to see in the side and rearview mirrors. If a vehicle is moving toward the Volvo and into this blind spot, a light on the inside door panel glows red. When that area is clear again, allowing enough room to change lanes, the light goes off. The system is unobtrusive but -- once you learn how to use it -- a valuable safety device.

I found it took a while enter a state of BLIS. I had to learn what the light meant, and how to use it. I watched vehicles in my driver's side mirror coming up into the blind spot area and noted where they were when the light came on. The system is set up to provide a generous amount of space for lane changes. I kept thinking that Los Angeles drivers would feel they had plenty of room for a lane change when the red light was on. It was also interesting to see that, if the Volvo is passing slower traffic, the red light doesn't come on.

A lot of people feel systems like BLIS take too much out of the hands of the driver. But my daily commute includes 25 miles on the 405 which a friend of mine said, "is like driving through a nest of angry hornets." BLIS is one more tool to make sure I don't run into any of the other hornets.

But what do you think? Too much automation? Putting drivers to sleep? Making bad drivers ever worse? What do you think?

Posted by

Philip Reed February 13, 2007, 2:27 PM

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Life with Cars